Upper Mustang Trekking
5/5 based on 100 reviews
Trip Duration
14 Days
Group Sizes
2-16 People
Difficulty
Moderate
Max. Altitude
3,840m
Activities
Meals
Accommodation
Upper Mustang Trek is a location across the rain shadow of the Himalayas in Nepal, enriched with ancient history and culture. What used to be a restricted kingdom up until 1992, Upper Mustang offers unique adventure amidst trekkers who want both natural beauty and cultural richness.
This 14-day Upper Mustang trek introduces one to the untouched, rugged landscapes and traditional architecture that define this remote area.Upper Mustang lies at an altitude of 3,840 meters above sea level; it is one of the premier destinations for foreign and local alike in its adventure activities.
The 14-day Upper Mustang trek will offer exploration through high-altitude desert landscapes that are enhanced by the views of snow-capped peaks like Mount Annapurna North (4,190 m) and Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167 m). Biking through this area is gaining popularity for riding through sublime vistas and tough land.
On the trek, one gets the chance to see the land of Upper Mustang where the mocking course of Tibetan Buddhism is inculcated into the lifestyle of the people. The Upper Mustang Trek includes many places with historical values; some notable places include Lo Manthang, a very ancient capital built during the 15th century.
This ancient city, with its city walls and monasteries, gives meaning to the rich cultural heritage of that particular region and offers an experience through immersion in such a unique lifestyle.
This 14-day Upper Mustang trek offers a view into the rich culture of the locals, with colorful festivals like the Tiji Festival featuring traditional dances and rituals. The other notable factors of this trek include traditional Tibetan arts and crafts and the hospitality of the people of Mustang, who have been long known to be warm and friendly.
Very few places, like Upper Mustang, offer such an opportunity to visit the culturally and naturally best-preserved areas of Nepal. This 14-day Upper Mustang adventure promises an unforgettable experience, blending high-altitude trekking with rich cultural exploration.
On the 1st day of our 14-day Upper Mustang Trek, we drive early in the morning from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The distance will be about 161 km, consuming a ride of 7 hours.
Leaving Kathmandu, we drive on winding roads with great views of lush hills and the Trishuli River. This route will bring us through most of the traditional villages and beautiful landscapes. We will enjoy the views of the rivers, valleys and the villages along the Prithvi Highway in this drive.
On reaching Pokhara, we settle into our accommodations and rest for some time before refreshing ourselves. In the evening, we can a leisurely stroll around the streets of Pokhara to explore its colorful markets and coffee shops, and to feel this beautiful city.
On the second day of our 14-day Upper Mustang Trek, we will start the day by having good breakfast at Pokhara. Then, we take a breathtaking 30-minute mountain flight to Jomsom, a village famous for landscapes and strong winds.
Then, upon reaching Jomsom, we start our trek towards Kagbeni, reaching it in about 3 hours. The trek will take us through varied landscapes, across the mighty Kali Gandaki River, on to Kagbeni—a village lying at the junction of the Kali Gandaki and Nilgiri rivers.
Against the infamous winds of this area, we will be greeted by breathtaking panoramas. A historic village associated with the Trans-Himalayan salt trade route, Kagbeni will offer us a chance to experience its rich heritage. We rest at Kagbeni this night preparing ourselves for onward adventures.
On the third day of our 14-day Upper Mustang Trek, we will be trekking from Kagbeni to Chele. The walking is around 15 km, so it will complete around 6 hours.
Our trail goes through a gorgeous variation of natural beauties. We will be following a one-lane trail through green landscapes with views of the surrounding beauty of Mustang. Some of the breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys with lush vegetation stand in stark contrast against the otherwise arid backdrop of the region.
This trail is popularly known as the characteristic natural beauty and cultural charm, where one can see glimpses of trekking traditional Tibetan-style villages.
We’ll just follow this path first through the terraced fields, over the small streams, and then we will begin gradually to climb until Chele is reached at the finish where we will rest for the night, capturing the serene beauty all around.
This is the fourth day our 14-day Upper Mustang Trek. On this day, our trek will start from Chele to Syangmoche. The overall distance of the walk will be about 11.5 km, and the overall walking time will take approximately 6 hours.
We can get tired due to uphill ascent, and throughout the journey, it will pass through some high passes: Taklam La at 3,624 meters, Dejong La at 3,660 meters, Bhena La at 3,830 meters, and Yamda La at 4,010 meters.
On the ascend, we will be fortunate to get stunning mountain scenery and dramatic landscapes of Mustang. Enroute, we stop by these beautiful villages: Ghyakar and Samar, and explore the Chungsi Cave, enriched with historical and cultural values.
The 800-meter ascend from Chele to Syangmoche would bring magnificent views of mountains and valleys, coupled with the beauty of traditional villages of Mustang.
After 6 hours of walking in the stunning landscapes, we will finally reach the village of Syangmoche. We will spend our night here at this village, take rest and energize ourselves for the further days.
On the fifth day of our 14-day Upper Mustang Trek, we will do a 5-hour trek from Syangmoche to Ghami. We make our way along the Yamda La pass trail with its several tea houses.
The villages that maintain the most traditionalism of all and the beautiful forests is the part of the trail for this day with breathtaking landscapes on our surroundings. The trail will now take us through poplar forests and barley fields until we reach Nyi Pass at 4,010 meters, then gently led down by the trail until Ghami village.
Ghami is one of the biggest and most attractive villages in the Mustang region. This village is noted for its traditional architecture and natural beauty. We are spending the night at Ghami and soaking up the peaceful atmosphere to refresh ourselves for the next day’s adventure.
On this day, we will cover 10.7 km (6.6 miles) from Ghami to Charang. Our day will start with a healthy morning breakfast. The approximate time consumption of this day’s trek will be 4 hours.
We begin the day by crossing the steel bridge over GhamiKhola and, later, steeply climbing uphill towards Choya La at 3,870 meters. The section of the trail is quite demanding.
From this pass, we get the most magnificent views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, and Thorong peaks.We will have a slow and steady trek along the longest Mani wall of Upper Mustang, pass Chorten and Chinggel La, and finally reach Charang at 3,560 meters.
It’s famous for its medieval fort, red Gompas, and its historic Tsarang Monastery associated with the Gelug sect of Buddhism. This beautiful, well-isolated hamlet offers vivid glimpses of the cultural traditions followed by people in a forgotten era of Mustang.
We are going to spend an overnight rest at Charang, soaked in serenity, getting refreshed for the next day’s adventure.
The seventh day of this 14-day Upper Mustang trek starts after breakfast in Charang. From here, we will trek to Lo Manthang. The total distance one needs to travel is 11 km, and it takesabout 5 hours on a gradual uphill trail with flatness, offering a smooth walk-through diverse landscape.
On the way from Charang to Lo Manthang, we will reach the highest point of the trek that is 3,960 meters at Lo La Pass. From this windy pass, we get our first views of Lo Manthang—that is, the remarkable walled capital of Lo.
This pass offers beautiful, breathtaking views of this ancient city, which was founded by Ame Pal in 1380. We follow a dusty trail but a short way down to Lo Manthang. Watching the unique Tibetan culture and history that Lo Manthang offers, along with the visits, we make it a memorable highlight during our trek.
On this day of our 14 days Upper Mustang trek, we will take a day trip to Chhoser Caves from Lo Manthang. We start our walk up and down for 6 hours after breakfast. The journey is enriched with breathtaking mountain peaks, beautiful remote villages,and vast stretches of landscapes.
The surroundings of Chhoser Caves are very mystique and comprise five stories with many cave complexes. All these caves, like the Jhong Cave, are a trekker’s dream due to the natural beauty and historic mystery.
Small chambers inside will be seen to be filled with stalactites and stalagmites. These caves which have been used historically as burial chambers, medication sports and monasteries have great religious importance and attract a lot of pilgrims.
After visiting the caves, we will return back to Lo Manthang, explore the village, interact with locals, overnight rest.
In this 14-day long Upper Mustang Trek, on the ninth day, we do a 17.2-kilometer (10.6 miles) trek back to Dhakmar from Lo Manthang in about 7 hours. The trail will be difficult, wild, and undulating up and down mountain ridges cutting across the gorges.
The trail will take us via Samduling, then up to 4,230 meters at Marang La and 4,170 meters at Muila, where we will have breathtaking views of red cliffs glowing in the sunlight.
We also get to Ghar Gumba, an ancient monastery built in the 8th century by Guru Padmasambhava, located at 3,931 meters. This monastery represents the Nyingma sect of Buddhism, and it will definitely add a great dosage of cultural significance to our trek.
While hiking to Dhakmar at 3,820 meters, the panorama of the lovely Himalayas and old-fashioned villages greets our eyes. At Dhakmar, we set up camp for the night, resting and readying ourselves for the next day’s journey.
We leave Dhakmar after breakfast on the tenth day of our 14-day Upper Mustang Trek to Ghiling. It is a 14.3 kilometer, 6-hour trek. We will take a trail consisting of a series of ascents and descents, passing Jhaite, Chhunggar, and Tamagaon villages to reach Ghiling at 3,860 meters.
Our journey is definitely going to offer a very enriching exploration of the unknown Buddhist Kingdom of Upper Mustang.
First, we will cross the GhamiKhola and move forward via the ancient Ghami village noted for its high cliffs and caves. The path takes you over Ghami La at 3765 meters and Ny La at 4020 meters, providing grand vistas of the rough land and mountain peaks of high elevation.
Upon reaching Ghiling, we will visit the village of Ghiling along with the monastery of this village, followed by sky caves that are very nice and fields full of buckwheat.
On this day of our 14-day Upper Mustang Trek, we will trek from Ghiling to Chhusang after breakfast. This journey covers 17.2 kilometers (10.6 miles) and will take us approximately 6. The trail, which starts at an elevation of 3,570 meters in Ghiling and descends to Chhusang at 3,050 meters, primarily features flat and downhill paths.
Our trek will begin by crossing Syangboche La at 3,850 meters. We will then follow a route that takes us to Chungsi Cave, where we can explore its ancient stone-carved figurines where we can also find prominent depiction of Padmasambhava.
En route to the cave, we will pass through the attrative village of Samar and continue over two more passes: Dajong La at 3,660 meters and Taklam La at 3,624 meters.
On our way, we will have breathtaking glimpses of the high mountains with superb landmarks like the Ranchung Monastery cave and ChhyungkarChorten.We reach Chhusang and rest for the night after exploring the village.
On the 12th or the last walking day of our 14-day Upper Mustang Trek, we trek from Chuksang to Jomsom, covering a distance of 22 km. We will need around 6 to 7 hours for this last trek. Compared to other days in the itinerary, the trail is relatively flat and easy to tread.
The trail ahead now leads us along the Kali Gandaki River, where we pass through nice villages like Tangbe, Kagbeni and Eklebhatti.
Other attractions that will be seen are magnificent views of red sandstone cliffs with their reddish-brown fronts and a serene view of the river itself. The area is rich in fossilized ammonites, otherwise called “Shaligrams” found along the river bed.
Jomsom lies at an altitude of 2,715 meters and is the business hub of Lower Mustang. We can visit around this village on our arrival day. We will visit shops and have a coffee in one of the cafes. Buy some souvenirs.
This will be our last day of walking, allowing us to reflect on the diverse landscapes and rich culture we’ve experienced throughout the trek.
This is Day 13 of the 14-day Upper Mustang Trek, where an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara awaits us.
Again, this short 15-minute flight gives us one last, breathtaking glimpse of the Himalayas and landscapes that we walked by. Cruising above the rugged landscape of Mustang, we get to witness the majestic peaks and serpentine rivers from another dimension.
Reaching Pokhara, we will move from the peaceful and serene, deserted area of Mustang to a lively, vibrant atmosphere of the city.Pokhara is lively at 830 meters, with trekkers and travelers thickly walk in the streets, insharp contrast to the serenity of the mountain scenes.
We’ll have time to wander along the enchanting streets of Pokhara, eat some local food, and rest our tired bodies after the adventure-rich trek. This is the last view of Upper Mustang, and the next travel experiences start here.
Beginning the last day of our Upper Mustang Trek, we will make our last drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
We are going to be on this 8-hour drive along one of the most beautiful roads, winding down lush valleys and terraced fields, as well as small villages. We get an overview of Himalayan foothills and serene landscapes along the Trishuli River throughout the route.
The road winds its way out to views of traditional Nepalese life, with lush green hillsides and busy roadside markets. It’s a beautiful drive that concludes our trek, providing a gentle transition from the remote beauty of Mustang to the vibrant energy of Kathmandu.
You will have an option to either leave Kathmandu on your own or explore more with another beautiful journey. This last part of the trip thus gives us views and landscapes that we went through during the Upper Mustang Trek.
The best time for the Upper Mustang Trek would be from spring until November. The weather throughout this period tends to remain mostly dry, sunny, and warm, suitable for the trek and acclimatization.
The daytime temperature would be around 20 °C, while the nights were cooling off to about 5 °C. The best time for this 14-day Upper Mustang Trek would also be spring, starting in March and moving up to May.
The flowers blossom, and fields turn green during this period. The daytime temperature ranges between 15°C and 20°C, making it well suited for trekking.
Summer: June–August June to August is not good for the Upper Mustang trek since there are occasional monsoon rainfalls and great humidity. Temperatures may increase up to 25 °C, but heavy rainfall can cause landslides, making travel hard. But less crowdedness does make it a quieter time to visit.
The high season of Upper Mustang for trekkers begins in the autumn, from September to November.Skies are clean and dry, which is best for any trekking. The temperatures are around 20 °C, while at night they fall even to 5 °C.
Winter is from December to February, and the conditions are at their worst, with temperatures reaching as low as -20 °C and thick snowing. Although the view is magnificent, the snow-covered landscape makes trekking tough, and usually only those seeking total solitude combined with the most extreme of weather can try their luck.
The 14-day Upper Mustang trek gives quite a range in elevation and distance throughout the trek. It starts in the capital city, Kathmandu, which lies at an altitude of 1,300 meters, to the maximum altitude of 3,960 meters at Lo La Pass.
On the way, we meet different landscapes while attaining elevations like 4,010 meters at Yamda La and going down to 2,715 meters in Jomsom.
This Upper Mustang Trek covers a total of approximately 155 km of trekking. The total duration of 14 days is both uphill and downhill steep flights of steps, along with flat stretches.
It makes for a complete journey through the Upper Mustang, encompassing high mountain passes, traditional villages, and remote landscapes. The mixed elevations and distances make this an extraordinary adventure for 14 days of the Upper Mustang Trek.
The 14-day Upper Mustang Trek comes with a number of challenges because of the high altitude. Upper Mustang, with Lo Manthang at almost 3,800 meters above sea level, is enough to cause altitude sickness if acclimatization is not done appropriately.
Acclimatization avoids conditions that include acute mountain sickness, which entails nausea and loss of appetite, among many other symptoms.
The weather conditions are pretty rough along the trek. Strong winds and cold temperatures, with the winter season at its worst, make spring (from April to May) and autumn (from September to October) the best times for the Upper Mustang Trek.
Besides that, the rugged landscape and remoteness add to the difficulty of the trek through the availability of limited facilities, whereby the conditions of trekking become variable.
The altitude sickness may further increase and lead to high-altitude cerebral edema and high-altitude pulmonary edema. Climbers should make a gradual ascent, keeping themselves well hydrated and using medications, if possible, to combat these.
Proper preparation and pacing are the keys to a safe and enjoyable 14-day Upper Mustang Trek.
You will find different kinds of accommodation available if you are going for the 14-day Upper Mustang Trek. Different facilities, like homestays, camping and luxury lodges, are available in Upper Mustang.
We, however, accommodated you in tea houses or lodges during our trek.
This is the most common accommodation during the Upper Mustang Trek. Guesthouses are usually referred to as tea houses or lodges.
They offer accommodation in basic rooms with simple furniture and shared facilities. Generally, they provide a bed with blankets and a shared bathroom.
In our 14-day Upper Mustang Trek, we will be staying in tourist-class lodges and tea houses with twin-shared rooms along with basic comforts.
Most of the places do not have modern western toilets but have eastern squat toilets. Most bathrooms will be shared.
We stay in tea houses or lodges that are comfortable, cozy, and homely. This assures a fine experience amidst all the rugged landscapes that Mustang has in store.
During the 14-day Upper Mustang Trek, you’ll be able to taste almost all the traditional foods and drinks. Generally, the most accessible food in Upper Mustang includes Tibetan dishes and Nepali cuisine.
You will have staples like Dal Bhat, momo, and thukpa. There are also shops selling pizza, pasta, and instant noodles.
For drinks on the Upper Mustang Trek, there is tea, milk tea, butter tea, coffee, and bottled water. Chang refers to the locally brewed traditional Tibetan barley beer offered in those ancient-looking cups. Raksi refers to a local spirit distilled from millet or rice and is offered in very small shots or quantities.
With our 14-day Upper Mustang Trek package includes three daily meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can opt for any item from the center’s menu provided, but the items consumed in addition to those will have to be paid for.
While doing the 14-day Upper Mustang Trek, there are various ways to reach Lo Manthang.
The most popular route is via Jomsom, which begins in Kathmandu or Pokhara. You will be taking a magnificent 20–30-minute flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, overlooking the Dhaulagiri
and Annapurna Mountain ranges.
From Jomsom, you will head north through the Kali Gandaki Gorge via villages such as Kagbeni and Chele, until you reach Lo Manthang. Normally, it takes about 10–14 days.
You can overland to Muktinath. Starting from Pokhara. From Muktinath, you either start the trek via Jomsom and onto Lo Manthang or take a jeep or helicopter to Jomsom before starting your trek. This overland journey from Pokhara to Muktinath will take about 8–12 hours.
The next route, via Nepalgunj, starts with a flight from Nepalgunj to Jomsom and then treks to Lo Manthang. This one miss out on the overland journey to Muktinath, so you are directly connected with the trek.
Well, the 14-day Upper Mustang trek could be a bit difficult for a first-timer, considering the altitude and rugged landscape. These will not affect a beginner who has adequately planned and is in good physical shape before rising to the challenge.
Gradual and progressive acclimatization, adequate liquid intake and following tips from guides should help reduce altitude sickness complications to a minimum. Adaptability and a good dose of perseverance are required due to the remoteness and unpredictable weather of the trek.
It is, therefore, recommended that people who have utterly no experience with trekking try fewer challenging treks first to gain experience and muscle strength before trying to do the Upper Mustang Trek. If well planned, a beginner can also perform this adventure.
The Upper Mustang 14-day Trek requires a very good level of preparation and physical fitness. Begin with cardio and strength training in advance; this will really pay off in challenging situations on the trek.
Exercises should be mainly focused on endurance, like hiking, jogging, or climbing stairs which can help in acclimatization.
It would also be good to train yourself to walk with a backpack, like in the situations you may face during the trek. Proper equipment and clothes for different weather conditions are important for the trek.
A pre-trek health check-up is advised. Keeping these factors in mind will better equip trekkers for the Upper Mustang Trek and maximize their experience while trekking.
The availability of charging facilities can be very limited during the 14-day Upper Mustang Trek. Make sure to bring a power bank or solar charger to keep your devices fully charged.
Bring charging cables and adaptors for phone and camera charging, as some of the teahouses may charge $1 to $5 USD a day for electricity.
Internet access is available, but it is limited; only the larger villages like Jomsom and Lo Manthang have Wi-Fi availability for a fee. One should not count on having good network coverage.
Bringing a satellite phone makes sense so as to ensure reliable communication, more so in times of emergencies.Proper preparation with respect to charging and connectivity will keep one connected along the Upper Mustang Trek.
The 14-day Upper Mustang Trek is required for the permits. You’ll need an Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit, which currently costs about $500 for the period of 10 days; you can get one with the help of a trekking agency or independently from the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu. You will also need a TIMS Card, which currently costs about $20 per person and is available from your trekking agency or the TAAN office in Pokhara. During Upper Mustang treks, trekking insurance is highly recommended and will help to cover most of the medical emergencies, trip cancellations, evacuations, or even stolen gear.
The 14-day Upper Mustang Trek package includes all the transportation, starting with a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, a domestic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, and lastly, Upper Mustang will be trekked on foot.
Again, on the way back, it involves a flight back to Pokhara from there and another drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. These are the transportation arrangements that make it a seamless and comfortable experience while trekking throughout the Upper Mustang.
Start the Upper Mustang 14-day trek and experience the adventure of a lifetime while exploring the remoteness and beauty of Upper Mustang. You will enjoy grand vistas of the Himalayas, ancient Tibetan culture, and unique desert-like landscapes.
You will see traditional villages, historical monasteries, and breathtaking mountain passes. Be prepared for long, occasionally challenging hikes, high altitudes, and unpredictable weather.
The Upper Mustang Trek becomes a journey of cultural immersion and unparalleled scenic beauty, with the display of stunning natural beauty, ancient caves, and the warm, vibrant locals following their age-old traditions.
The highest is Lo La Pass, at 3,960 meters (13,000 feet).
Yes, there are cultural sites including the monasteries in Lo Manthang and the Chhoser Caves.
Basic Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine like dal bhat, noodles, and tea.
It normally has a guide and a porter within the package.
Basic supplies can be purchased in larger villages like Jomsom and Lo Manthang.
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